Fishing on Hawaii Island

The Kona Coast on Hawaii Island is renowned for its big-game fishing, with anglers flying in from all over the world for high-stakes tournaments or just a low-key time with friends. In fact, Kona is the home of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (August), the “Grandfather of all Big Game Fishing Tournaments.”

Visitors can rent deep-sea charters out of Honokohau Harbor just north of Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) in search of marlin, mahimahi, ono and ahi. But locals also recommend you also look beyond the open ocean, bringing your rod, tackle and bait along piers, jetties, the shore and streams. From a boat deck or dry land, casting off Hawaii Island will help you reel in that big-fish story that’ll be sure to impress everybody back home.